King Kong Demo

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In the game, you play as both a human exploring Kong's natural environment - Skull Island - and as Kong himself. The human parts of the game are played from the (first person) perspective of an explorer, a view notable by its lack of any energy or ammo readouts whatsoever. The only thing you see is what your character sees, but you'll know how you're getting on from the way your allies - including a very accurately modelled Jack Black - talk to you.

We were shown several sequences from Skull Island, where the vast majority of the action takes place, and all of them demonstrated a level of atmosphere that few games can match. From seeing King Kong roar and beat his chest - the force of which blurs the screen and gives any connected bass subs you may have connected a thorough workout - to a truly terrifying T-Rex chase, everything is implemented with class.

You will not benefit from extraordinary weaponry and instead you will have to make do with whatever is available - so while you will get to wield guns, you'll also be fending off the islands fearsome beasts with spears, and whatever objects come to hand. It all creates a feeling of vulnerability, and being right at the bottom of Skull Island's food chain, which makes the action hugely evocative - and very, very scary.

Balancing out this sense of panic, the game also puts you in control of Kong for some sections. We saw less of this, but the brute force of the enormous ape is matched only by his grace of movement. The poise with which he moves through the jungle would make the Prince of Persia green with envy; swinging along branches and bounding across vine-covered walls looked fantastic.